#productfinds

[anixtrashop]

Your Next Favorite Find

Every great online store has that one product you instantly fall in love with.

Browse through Anixtra and you might just find your next favorite item today.

Explore now: https://anixtra.myshopify.com

[mypoetryelenabertolini]

Over 700,000 creatives worldwide making things like shirts, stickers, phone cases, and pillows weirdly meaningful. Find your thing or open y

HAPPY FRIDAY GUYS!!! HEAD OVER AND CHECK OUT SOME AMAZING PRODUCTS BY SOME AMAZING ARTISTS!!

[klean-slate]

What have you done for you immunity lately?

I have been a huge promoter of mushroom supplements ever since I went on a two week, fast paced, multiple flights, 30 kids packed into a charter bus for half the time, international FUN FILLED trip and I was the only one who didn’t get sick. Its been 4 years since that trip and I still talk about it regularly. I believe in order to promote a product you have to try it, test it, understand it and believe in it.  I was my own test subject and I believe in the powers of this super food. 

We share more DNA with mushrooms then we do plants! Crazy sauce.

We are so closely connected to mushrooms that we have the ability to absorb, digest and utilize their nutrients for an array of reasons.   

Reishi (cardiovascular) Chaga (antioxidant/immunity) Turkey Tail (immunity) Lion’s Mane (brain/nervous system) Cordyceps (energy boost/recovery)

Of course I believe in eating my mushrooms (mmm mmm good), but as with most super foods (turmeric, ginger, etc) if you want a more potent dose, finding a high-quality supplement can be a great addition to your regimen ESPECIALLY when you need that extra immunity boost. You can’t knock a supplement where cancer patients have been given it during treatment!  

On my last recent vacation, I was heading out of for the holidays (Traveling Vegan Write-Up Coming Soon!) and I knew necessary measures needed to be procured. I was NOT going to succumb to what everyone around me had–I wanted to enjoy my holidays sans sickness. I needed an easy travel option that could ignite my energy (caffeine substitute) and boost my immunity.

Enter Four Sigma Foods with their plethora of options. I was heading back East so warm tea sounded divine. My first go at a mushroom tea option for traveling and I chose Chaga–a mild, earthy subtle flavor. It was right on the money. I had it every morning for my entire trip and I haven’t stopped since I’ve been home. 

Did I get sick? No I did not. Was it all due to the tea? Who knows. But I will say I’m sure it didn’t hurt. It provided me nutrients I wasn’t receiving while traveling as well as energy that was greatly needed. 

I also have in my possession the Princess Blend for hormonal balance, Digestion for improved digestion/bloating and Detox–an excellent blend of mushrooms and herbs needed for the holiday aftermath.

They are available at Sprouts and Whole Foods as well as online and on Thrive where, luckily, I have an account! I can’t stress enough how valuable Thrive has been in helping me save money throughout this year. If you would like to sign up us my code here and you will get a 15% discount. 

As well, if you’d like a discount on Four Sigma Foods here is a discounted link. 

MUSHROOM READING I highly recommend reading books by Paul Stamets or taking a look at his articles and his Ted Talk. He is an mycologist, author and advocate of bioremediation and medicinal mushrooms. 

Host Defense Paul Stamets The Mushroom Renaissance TED Talk Mushroom Supplements I also use: Host Defense Mushroom Science

Klean-Slate

[klean-slate]

Product Finds

 NEW PRODUCTS Two Moms in the Raw

Two Moms in the Raw are at it again, but this time they have altered their ingredients...FOR THE BETTER! Taking a page from the progressive book, they have taken out agave and replaced it with coconut nectar.  Coconut nectar is still processed, but it is far less processed than agave. Agave may rank low on the glycemic index making it a suitable option for diabetics, but it ranks very high in fructose content. So high in fact that it is on par with high fructose corn syrup, which is a really big no no. Coconut nectar does not spike your blood sugar and it is considered a low glycemic, nutrient-rich alternative. Coconut nectar does costs more than agave, but as the saying goes,  “Don’t as why health food is expensive. Ask why junk food is so cheap”. As well, think about the consequences. That hospital stay or that medical bill won’t care that you saved an extra $3 by going with the less expensive option, it just cares about what you ended up putting into your body.

Take a look at these ingredients because they are on point.

Two Moms in the Raw considered our health in the creation of their new products. Each ingredient and each process would make the most critical of individuals not need to judge. 

New Bars

I hike, I gym, and I work–I’m an active woman. I need energy to sustain me throughout my hectic work days and I’m not one who tends to lean on caffeine. Enter alternative sources.   These bars were yummmmmyy; I especially liked the goldenberry. Tons of antioxidants, healthy fats, proteins and carbs. The “Bring on the Blueberry” is only 100 calories and worked well for a midday snack. The other bars I used more while on-the-go or after a workout.  New Almond Protein Crackers

Mmmm gluten-free RAW crackers with zing! I can always appreciate a good cracker, especially when they meet my dietary needs. 

My favorite flavor was Italian Herb. It's well spiced, but not overpowering and it’s hearty enough to curb any extra cravings for carbs. 

I have come across the bars at my local Sprouts and Whole Foods Markets, but I have yet to see the crackers. I’m hoping they will make their debut shortly. Until then you can purchaser here

[klean-slate]

Follow Your Heart Cheeses

Who just received (and already opened) their Follow Your Heart package?! This gal! I have already proclaimed their provolone to be the best over the counter (versus cashew cheeses) on the market. Why? Because it's adult and kid friendly approved, seriously tasty, realistically textured, nut-free, soy-free, gluten-free, as well as not containing a laundry list of ingredients; it's an all around great alternative. If you noticed, you can even eat it cold. Actually, the majority of the time I eat it cold! But right along with provolone is garden herb. I haven't had this flavor since ExpoWest. Wow! I'm definitely loving it. My least favorite is still American. It has an almost metallic flavor to me, but than again I never liked American cheese when I wasn't vegan. Either way, this gal and some of her lucky friends are going to engage in a delicious cheese smorgasbord.

[klean-slate]

Product Finds

Koekie

I was informed by my lovely friend Ask Leah Renee that a  NEW must-try, Klean-Slate approved cookie was making its way through the clutter and shinning superior above the rest; I knew this Cookie Monster had to try them. Was my friend correct? Were they superior? Did they make me question all prior cookie consumption choices? I'll tell you this, Chef Kelly has her own vegan twist on an old Dutch classic and it's downright crave-able.

-photo credit from @eatkoekies-

Light, flavorful, gluten-free, five ingredients, plant-based, sweetened only with maple syrup and made with cashews!!! I don't know if you noticed, but I did profess my love for cashews in my profile; it seemed fitting. Thus far I've seen these bad boys at Erewhon Market, but I'm sure more locations will be popping up.

[klean-slate]

Product Finds

Dynamics of Nature: Vitaforce A high quality, complete multivitamin made from the world’s most nutritious super foods, vegetables, fruits and probiotics. 

I remember a time where I use to mess around with tons and tons of supplements. I was always trying to find the right combination, the right brand, the right nutrients for my body.  I spent a fortune and I listened to a multitude of individuals both experts and pretend experts. It was exhausting and I was spending money I didn’t have. I knew that I was able to get a lot of the required nutrients from my diet but I also knew that with my long running digestion issues, energy levels, and food sensitivities, I was (still am but to a way lesser degree) always chasing that perfect combination to make me super human. I wanted to be that perfect example of health, fitness and sanity. Yeah. Don’t we all? The thing is, we are not meant to be perfect, we can get damn close but we are all unique individuals and in being so we each have a unique composition. We have to find the right working combination for ourselves and even that changes as our bodies change. What worked for you a year ago may not work for you now and that’s ok.

At this point, what we can do is find high quality products along with a well-rounded diet to help us sustain a balance.

A chance encounter with Vitaforce peaked my interest enough that I wanted to hear from the owner Josh Malin himself about the history, the reasoning and the difference between Vitaforce and other green superfood powders on the market.

Josh was kind enough to take a quick phone call with me. That “quick phone call” ended up lasting three hours! I was sooo fascinated, sooo intrigued, sooo wanting to learn more about the science behind it. The nutrition geek in me was on edge.

What I found through our conversation was the science behind Vitaforce was different than a lot (if not all) green superfood powders on the market. Many of the popular green powders on the market were tested and they found that most of the ingredients ended up not being pure, as they claimed, and were indeed from China. You are paying the price and not getting the guarantee. The potency isn’t there and the chemicals are. It’s really a shame because it’s another example of pulling-the-wool-over-your-eyes”, trusting companies we believed to have been providing us with the high quality products they promote.

Josh is so involved in every step; He even knows the exact milligrams of each individual ingredient to make it the all-around multivitamin suitable enough for a vegan diet including the addition of a potent probiotic, essential for a healthy gut. Josh has handpicked, tested and even lost money to make sure a product he could be proud to give his children, would be on shelves.

( Louis scanning and picking up a tub of Vitaforce at Whole Foods)

As quoted, “In other words, of the hundreds of producers of spirulina, chlorella, kale and other ingredients in VITAFORCE, we went through an exhaustive process to carefully choose the purest, most nutritionally dense and antioxidant-rich version of each.

By way of example, we analyzed every variety of spirulina grown throughout the world, we analyzed the growing conditions, the nutritional analyses, the heavy metal testing, bacterial testing, quality testing, antioxidant levels, harvesting conditions, sustainability, scientific documentation, microcystin levels, carotenoid levels, super oxide dismutase levels, among many other factors.  After reviewing each version of spirulina grown throughout the world, only one was head and shoulders above the rest – and even though it is far more expensive than other spirulina’s, that is the only one that we chose to put in VITAFORCE.”

This makes it a powerhouse for vegans, non-vegans and children’s a like. Everyone wins!

Everything is completely natural, combined properly and contains no cheap fillers. The only ingredient not formed naturally is B12, which cannot be food sourced. To be an all around multi superfood, B12 is vital component. The B12 in Vitaforce is Methylcobalamin based versus cyanocobalamin.  cyanocobalamin must convert into Methylcobalamin to harness the neurological benefit but here it is already converted, getting you a faster B12 injection for a healthy nervous system.

Some customers have experienced an increase in energy levels and a decrease in getting sick. Other customers who sustain a relatively healthy diet don’t really experience any noticeable effects. This is where the problem comes in. Just because you don’t feel the difference doesn’t mean the wealth of healing isn’t happening. It is. The best part is, it’s working hard fighting and mending behind the scenes while you continue to enjoy this wonderful healthy life!

Some favorite ways I’ve enjoyed Vitaforce:

Smoothies: Since buying Vitaforce, I bring my mini blender to work and blend together bananas, blueberries, almond milk, maca powder, cinnamon and Vitaforce. 

Some options I like ontop of my smoothie range from: sprouted buckwheat, chia seeds, almonds, coconut shreds, cacao nibs and/or pumpkin seeds. 

You can easily switch up fruits, veggies and supplemental powders. I love maca for the energy and the malt like taste. In the mini blender it takes less than 5 min to make and less than 2 min to clean. Done and done. Breakfast is served.

Cereal: I have also enjoyed Vitaforce in cereals with almond milk and Emmy’s Organic Sprouted Buckwheat.

 Simple, easy and a fast way to get my superfood greens in.

  Juice: When I am on the go I grab a juice, like Pressed Juicery and then mix a scoop of Vitaforce --it dissolves fast.

What we have here is good people creating high quality products for the betterment of others and themselves, while looking towards kreating that shift. 

If you want to stay up to date on discounts or sales, check out their Facebook page. 

Apparently I'm not the only one bringing it their place of work.

(Louis hard at work with his Vitaforce in tow)

It travels!